by Bentley’s new electric SUV
It has been ten years since Bentley presented its first SUV, the Bentayga, and this model has become the most successful in the brand’s history. This makes it even more interesting that only now has the company begun developing its second SUV, which will occupy a place in the lineup below the Bentayga.
The new model, currently known under the working name Urban SUV, will be presented exclusively as an electric vehicle. This decision, made against the backdrop of uncertainty in Western markets, may not be the most strategic. However, Bentley has likely also focused on the Chinese market, where electric cars dominate the premium segment.
The new model is smaller than the Bentayga and launches exclusively as an electric vehicle.
Design and Exterior
The first spy photos taken during testing on the Nürburgring track show the car under camouflage. Fake round headlights, similar to those installed on the Bentayga, were even used for disguise. The overall body contours indicate smaller dimensions and a lower roofline compared to the older model, although the car will still be quite large, approximately the size of the new electric Porsche Cayenne.
Several months ago, Bentley showed the EXP15 concept with vertical headlights, but the headlight clusters on the test vehicle look different. The shape of the grille also remains hidden.
Interior and Technology
Photographers managed to peek inside, but it’s difficult to make out details. However, it can be said with certainty that Bentley will not follow the fashionable trend of many EVs, where the instrument panel and infotainment system are presented as large, tablet-like screens. The interior is more likely to retain the brand’s traditional luxury and ergonomics.
Technical Specifications and Powertrain
Although there are no official details, it is widely expected that the Bentley Urban SUV will inherit many components from the electric Porsche Cayenne.
Bentley is widely expected to share many components with the electric Cayenne.
This could include the same 113 kWh battery and 800-volt electrical architecture, which will provide good range and support fast charging. Porsche claims the Cayenne Electric can charge from 10 to 80% in just 16 minutes.
For the Cayenne Electric, two versions are confirmed: one with 402 hp (or 435 hp with launch control) and a flagship Turbo with 844 hp in normal mode and 1139 hp with 1500 Nm of torque under launch control. Bentley’s power will likely fall between these two figures.
Launch Timeline
Bentley is expected to unveil the Urban SUV in mid-2026, with the first customer deliveries beginning in 2027.
The arrival of a second, more compact electric SUV from Bentley is a logical step in light of the overall electrification of the Volkswagen Group’s fleet. This will allow the brand to reach a new, possibly younger, audience of buyers looking for a premium, but more urban and environmentally friendly car. The success of this model will largely depend on the development of charging infrastructure and the state of the luxury electric vehicle market by the end of the decade. Competition in this segment is only intensifying, and Bentley will have to prove that its product offers a unique blend of luxury, tradition, and innovation to replicate the success of the Bentayga.
